Research Articles

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://atuspace.atu.edu.gh/handle/123456789/38

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Pro-environment behavioural moderators of the association between perceived walkability and social activity.
(Journal of Transport & Health, 2022) Danquah, E.; Asiamah, N.; Opuni, F. F.; Ocloo, E. C.; Ricky-Okine, C. K.
Background – several studies have confirmed the potential influence of walkability on social activity, but whether this relationship can be modified by pro-environment behaviours has not been evaluated. This study aimed to assess the association between perceived (self-reported) walkability and social activity and to ascertain whether this potential relationship is moderated by pro-environment behaviour (PEB) and socially responsible consumption (SRC). Methods – This study adopted a cross-sectional design with a sensitivity analysis and techniques against common methods bias. The study population was residents in Ablekuma North Municipality, Ghana. Participants were 792 residents who met some inclusion criteria. The G*Power 3.1.9.4 software was employed to determine a minimum sample for the study. Hierarchical linear regression (HLR) analysis was used to present the findings. Results – The study found a positive association between neighbourhood walkability and social activity, which suggests that residents who lived in more walkable neigbourhoods reported higher social activity. SRC and PEB positively moderated the foregoing relationship between neighbourhood walkability and social activity. Conclusions – Residents who lived in more walkable neighbourhoods reported higher social activity, and the positive relationship between walkability and social activity is strengthened by SRC and PEB. It can be concluded that walkability better supports social activity among residents with higher pro-environment behaviours.
Impact of Value Co-Creation on Customer Loyalty: The Role of Trust and Satisfaction.
(International Journal of E-Business Research, 2022) Wahab, H. K. A.; Tao, M.; Alam, F.; Ocloo, E. C.
The study examines the crucial role of value co-creation impacts on customer loyalty (attitudinal and behavioural loyalty) in the Chinese self-service food industry, especially in “Hot Pot,” also known as “Huo Guo,” taking into account the mediating impact on customer trust and satisfaction. The authors collected 377 valid Chinese customers’ questionnaires to assess the conceptual model with a purposive sampling method, and data were analyzed using SmartPLS3 software. The findings show that value co-creation positively impacts customer satisfaction, whereas satisfaction fully mediates the association between value co-creation and trust. The findings further portray that consumer satisfaction partially mediates the association among value co-creation and attitudinal and behavioural loyalty. Based on the results, another key finding is that consumer satisfaction has an insignificant impact on behavioural loyalty. Notably, the findings provide a menu of potential managerial implications to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Green Brand Equity in an Emerging Economy: Ghana in Perspective.
(Green Marketing in Emerging Economies, 2022) Effah, E. A.; Hinson, R. E.
This study examines the effects of green branding and green brand communication on organisational performance in emerging economies by building on Aaker’s pioneering conceptualisation of brand equity. Adopting a communication perspective, this chapter examines the contributions of green brand awareness, green brand associations, perceived green brand quality and green brand loyalty to green brand equity, using Ghana as a reference country. Secondary data on green brand communication and brand equity were collected from peer-reviewed journal articles and publications through Google Scholar and academic search engines. Findings from the study point to the applicability of Aaker’s brand equity constructs to green branding and its communication in Ghana, an emerging economy. Green brand equity outcomes identified include brand trust, increased consumer preference and patronage, premium pricing, enhanced brand imagery and overall competitive advantage. Although a great deal of research has focused on the critical issues of brand satisfaction, brand trust, brand affect, brand loyalty, and brand equity, to date, not much has been done from the perspective of green marketing, particularly as it relates to its communication in developing economies. Therefore, this study contributes to the literature on green brand equity in developing economies by situating Aaker’s tried and tested constructs in that fledgling terrain. It also offers implications for green brand communication policy and practice.
Information technology ability mediates the association between older adults’ subjective age and social activity: A STROBE-compliant cross-sectional analysis.
(Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 2022) Sghaier, S.; Asiamah, N.; Danquah, E.; Opuni, F. F.; Hatsu, S.
Background: The association between subjective age and social activity has been reported in the extant literature, but whether this association is mediated by information technology ability and its domains (i.e., internet use assessment, packaged software use assessment, and innovativeness attitude) has not been examined. Aim: To assess the association between subjective age and social activity and to ascertain whether this association is mediated by information technology ability. Methods: This study adopted a cross-sectional design characterising sensitivity analyses and common methods bias. The participants were 895 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years or higher in Accra, Ghana. We measured subjective age, information technology ability, and social activity with previously validated Likert scales, each of which was internally consistent at a Cronbach's α ≥0.7. The data were analysed with partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) and hierarchical linear regression (HLR) analysis. Results: Subjective age was positively associated with social activity, and this association was partially mediated by information technology ability but none of the three domains of information technology ability mediated this relationship. Subjective age was positively associated with information technology ability and its three domains. Information technology ability (but not its domains) was positively associated with social activity. Conclusion: Older subjective age was associated with higher social activity through information technology ability. Social activity and information technology ability levels among older adults depend on subjective age, which has implications for ageing and gerontology as reported in this paper.
The Nexus between Entrepreneurial Education and Entrepreneurial Self-Competencies: A Social Enterprise Perspective.
(Sustainability, 2022) Opuni, F. F.; Snowden, M.; Winful, E. C.; Hyams-Ssekasi, D.; Halsall, J. P.; Quaye, J. N. A.; Ocloo, E. C.; Opoku-Asante, K.
The purpose of the study was to examine the mediation roles of student satisfaction and entrepreneurial self-efficacy in the nexus between entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial self-competencies within a social enterprise context. The study used a cross-sectional survey design, with a sampled population of 185 business students from three universities (Accra Technical University, Cape Coast Technical University and the University of Ghana) in Ghana. A PLS-SEM approach was used to examine the relationships among the independent–dependent constructs in the study. Entrepreneurial education had positive and significant relationships to student satisfaction and entrepreneurial self-efficacy, but it showed an insignificant relationship to entrepreneurial self-competencies. Student satisfaction was also found to relate positively and significantly to entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial self-competencies. Furthermore, both student satisfaction and entrepreneurial self-efficacy were found to fully mediate the nexus between entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial self-competencies. The study highlights the crucial roles of student satisfaction and self-efficacy in the implementation of entrepreneurial education in higher education institutions. In a discipline that is characterised by paucity, this study provides a unique and original assessment of the important roles of student satisfaction and student self-confidence in building entrepreneurial competencies among students.
The associations between pro-environment behaviours, sustainability knowingness, and neighbourhood walkability among residents of Accra Metro in Ghana: A cross-sectional analysis.
(Journal of Transport & Health, 2022) Opuni, F. F.; Asiamah, N.; Danquah, E.; Ricky-Okine, C. K.; Ocloo, E. C.; Quansah, F.
Background Physical activities such as walking are a form of transportation in the neighbourhood; people reach their destinations through walking. Research to date has substantially evidenced the beneficial effects of walking and other physical activities on health outcomes. From these perspectives, neighbourhood walkability and behaviours that improve it play a crucial role in healthy transportation. Aim To assess the associations between pro-environment behaviours (i.e., socially responsible consumption (SRC) and pro-environment behaviour (PEB)) and neighbourhood walkability, and to ascertain whether these relationships are moderated by sustainability knowingness. Methods This study employed a cross-sectional design with sensitivity analysis and recommended steps against common methods bias. The participants were residents in the Accra Metropolitan Area (Accra Metro), Ghana. Self-reported questionnaires were used to gather data from 625 residents. Exploratory factor analysis and hierarchical linear regression analysis were used to present the results. Results PEB and SRC had a positive association with neighbourhood walkability, with the latter having a stronger association with neighbourhood walkability. The relationship between these behaviours and neighbourhood walkability was significantly strengthened by sustainability knowingness. Conclusion Higher neighbourhood walkability was associated with higher SRC and PEB, which means that residents can contribute to improved neighbourhood walkability with their pro-environment behaviours. Residents’ sustainability knowingness or their knowledge about sustainability and its importance can enhance the positive influence of pro-environment behaviours on neighbourhood walkability.
Forensic Accounting: A Novel Paradigm and Relevant Knowledge in Fraud Detection and Prevention.
(International Journal of Public Administration, 2022) Afriyie, S. O.; Akomeah, M. O.; Amoakohene, G.; Ampimah, B. C.; Ocloo, C. E.; Kyei, M. O.
Forensic accounting is a new trend that goes beyond normal audit approaches and procedures for fraud identification. The practice applies reliable principles and methods to obtain sufficient facts or data that provide basis for prosecution in the law court. Forensic accountants characteristically need adequate know-how and skills for investigation and proactive audit to control fraud. With globalization of the economy, fraudsters can be found in any organization. These criminals take advantage of loopholes such as suspicious financial statement, defective internal controls, and poor corporate governance. Hence, there is a great need for skilled forensic accountants to detect, prevent and expose the weak system. The professionals can exercise their mandate by reporting the obvious cases of fraud committed to a law court for prosecution.
Does Quest for Entertainment and socialization attract football fans to stadiums? Insights from Ghana.
(International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, 2017) Bashiru, S.
This paper delved into the twin factors of socialization and entertainment as key factors influencing attendees’ patronage of football matches at the stadium. The study was undertaken against the backdrop of calls to introduce strategies that can have social and entertainment impacts on fans as an attraction to sway fans to stadiums. Whilst socialization and entertainment has helped fuel attendance in other countries, the influence of these factors has yet to be empirically tested appreciably within the context of sub Saharan Africa. Earlier theoretical models and empirical works were critically appraised. The research used a qualitative approach to build in-depth understanding of fans attendance motivation as a factor of socialization and entertainment. Data was gathered using semi structured interviews to draw responses from seven participants with data analysed based on content analysis. The Researcher found that socialization is crucial in influencing attendance. The influence of friends, the Researcher found also impacts on fans decision to attend games. Entertainment also influences young fans to watch football matches at the stadium but the study discovered fans beyond the youth age bracket are not enthused about entertainment in stadiums. Fans attendance can be boosted by adding more social constructs to add to stadium experience and the youth can be targeted to prop up their attendance by promoting performance of artiste at the stadium.
Exhibiting resistance during an organizational transformation: The telecommunication industry in Ghana
(2017) Bapuuroh, C. B.
The purpose of this study is to explore how employees reacted by the manifestation of resistant behaviours and attitudes during an organizational transformation in the telecommunication industry of Ghana. The study adopted a qualitative multiple case study using two organizations. Data was obtained primarily through interviews from twenty employees. Seven (7) participants were interviewed from MTN Ghana and thirteen (13) participants from AIRTEL Ghana. Both managers and non-managers were interviewed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis was undertaken to identify relevant themes. The main theme determined from the analysis of data is: Manifestation of resistance and the accompanying sub-themes are Active resistance and Passive resistance. The main drawback of this research is due to the fact that it was limited to only two organizations. Participant selection bias is also a limitation. The study is a contribution to resistance to change theory since there is virtually no research conducted in the area studied in Ghana especially in the telecommunications industry.
E-Commerce Adoption: A tool for small and M.Ed.ium-scale enterprises (SMEs) empowerment through internationalization.
(American Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 2017) Addai, M.; Danso, B. A.; Dodor, A.; Antwi, H. A
Electronic commerce, commonly known as e-commerce can be regarded as the utilization of electronic systems such as the internet and other computer networks to aid the sharing of business information among trading partners, coordination and implementation of business transactions. Existing studies in Nigeria concentrated on factors that limit Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in adopting e-commerce technology and most of these studies were examined from consumers perspectives, however, little or no study have examined the impact of e-commerce adoption on the performances of SMEs. This paper employed the use of a quantitative research approach to analyse the behavior, experience, perspective of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises operators towards electronic commerce adoption in Nigeria. Based on the quantitative approach imbibed in this study, questionnaire was used to capture data that examined the objectives of the paper. The questionnaire was distributed both manually and electronically to total sample of over 250 SMEs. Data collected were analysed using descriptive analysis. The study showed that e-commerce has potentials to improve the performance of SMEs operators if factors limiting the adoption of ecommerce like security issues, under developed infrastructures, poor delivery logistics and poor courier systems, infrastructure facilities, incompatibility of business with ecommerce etc. The paper recommended improved infrastructural facilities and better strategies that will improve consumers and business technological knowledge and ensure favourable environment for e-commerce adoption.
Effect of service quality on students’ intention to provide funding support to private universities in Ghana: The Mediating role of students’ satisfaction
(Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 2018) Banahene, S.; Kraa, J. J.; Opuni, F. F.
The study investigates the effect of service quality on students’ intention to provide funding support to private universities in Ghana, the mediating role of students’ satisfaction. 600 students were selected from 6 private universities of which 421 responses were useable representing 70.16% response rate. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were adopted in selecting respondents. Questionnaire was used for data collection. Stata version 13 and IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 were the software used in data analysis. The study made use of Structural Equation Model for data analysis. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was also used for data purification in achieving fit indices. The research found that HEdPERF positively and significantly affects students’ satisfaction and their intention to provide funding support to Private University. Students satisfaction also positively and significantly impact on student’s intention to provide funding support to Private University. As regards the mediation effect, customer satisfaction partially mediates the relationship between HEdPERF and intention to provide funding support to Private Universities. Managers and policy makers must take action to improve students’ intention to provide funding support to Universities by promoting Reputation and Access issues in tertiary education.
A double-server double-class queue with constant retrial policy in reducing delay in healthcare delivery.
(International Journal of Nonlinear Science, 2018) Akuamoah, S. A.; Lu, D.; Zhang, H.; Yaro, D.; Apeanti, W. O.; Harvim, H.; Ocloo, C. E.
We consider in this paper a double-server double-class retrial queues. Servers, when free, help serve patients awaiting in the buffers of other servers. Patients arrive at both queues according to Poisson processes. Each station is fed by a renewal input with general independent identically distributed inter-arrival times and general identically independent distributed service times possibly different in the two stations. All service times are exponential, with rates depending on the queues. The cost to be minimized involve cost per unit time that a patient spends in the system. We find a sufficient conditions including all possible parameter choices such as arrival rates, retrial rates and service rates. We further present conditions for scheduling new arrivals, under which server assignment to either queue-1 or queue-2 is cost optimal.
An exploratory examination of the relationship between business-to-business e-commerce adoption and competitive advantage of small and medium-sized enterprises.
(British Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, 2018) Ocloo, C.E.; Hu, X.; Afriyie, S.O.; Antwi, H.A.; Adjei, I.M.
Business to Business Electronic Commerce (B2B EC) adoption has been growing at a quicker pace in recent times and it has become one of the critical ways to help small and medium-sized enterprises to gain and sustain competitive advantage. A firm’s resource capabilities and endowments influence the different levels of B2B EC adoption that leads to competitive advantage gain and sustained in proportion to that level of adoption. The purpose of this research is to offer an exploratory analysis into the relationship between B2B EC adoption and competitive advantage. A survey of 315 responses was received from managers and owners of manufacturing SMEs in Ghana. A canonical correlation analysis is used to explore this relationship. The results support the view that there is a positive relationship between B2B EC adoption levels and competitive advantage.
B2B E-commerce adoption amongst manufacturing SMEs: An Evidence from Ghana.
(Australian Journal of Economics and Management Sciences, 2018) Ocloo, C. E.; Xuhua, H.; Akaba, S.; Addai, M.; Worwui-Brown, D. K.; Spio-Kwofie, A.
Electronic commerce (EC) has considerable potential to nurture the growth of small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) in developed and developing nations alike. However, e-commerce growths among SMEs in developing countries are still in entry adoption level and not moving beyond this stage. The aim of this study is to examine the factors affecting B2B e-commerce adoption in SMEs in developing countries. A questionnaire survey technique was used to collect data from a sample of 209 manufacturing SMEs in Ghana. This study uses structural equation modelling to investigate how different factors affect different levels of B2B e-commerce adoption. The key findings revealed that each level of e-commerce adoption was affected by different factors from different level of adoption. Also, relative advantage and intensity of competition have a significant effect on adoption behavior in Ghanaian manufacturing SMEs. Implications of the study, limitations and future research directions are also discussed.
Ranking social Media utilization among tourists to improve marketing innovation using Bayesian posterior probability and maximum posterior probability procedure (map): evidence from the hospitality industry in Ghana.
(Canadian Journal of Applied Science and Technology, 2018) Danso, B. A.; Xuhua, H.; Addai, M.; Mensah, I. A.
The emergence of information technologies has impacted on hospitality organisations, productrelated processes and consumers’ experiences of the hospitality industry. Our study sought to examine the extent to which tourists patronizing hospitality facilities in selected cities in Ghana, use social media platforms, the period they utilize these platforms, the specific activities social media is deployed to perform and degree of use of social media in performance of these functions. A total of 800 tourists participated in this research. We measured their perception of the importance of social media on travel process in three different phases (pre-visit, on site, post-visit). Regarding inter-phase ranking of use of social media by tourist, our Bayesian posterior probability and the Maximum Posterior Probability Procedure weights shows that tourist mostly used social media platforms before their visits. We Further note that usage of social media in different activities in the respective phases differed marginally using the two weights.
Structural equation analysis of the interaction between internal capabilities and external factors on the acquisition of network ties in start-up firms in automobile clusters in Ghana
(European Journal of Contemporary Research, 2018) Addai, M.; Danso, B. A.; Gays-Mensah, W.
Start-up firms promote the technological innovation industry, facilitates the creation of new jobs as well as generating additional wealth in society. Nonetheless, much is not known about these wealth creation business strategies especially the influence of internal capabilities and external factors in acquiring network ties that stimulate value creation. Our study investigated the effects of firm internal capabilities and external environmental factors (political, economic and socio-cultural) on acquisition of strong, medium or weak network ties among start-up firms in automobile clusters. The study mainly used data from 452 automobile start-up firms in automobile clusters in three cities in Ghana. We defined internal capabilities in our study as technological capabilities, entrepreneurial orientation and financial resources invested in the organisation’s innovation drive. We introduced external factors as the influence of the political, economic and socio-cultural factors in the m...
Electronic commerce adoption barriers of Ghanaian manufacturing SMEs: an artificial neural network analysis.
(American Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 2018) Ocloo, C. E.; Xuhua, H.; Worwui-Brown, D.; Addai, M.
The adoption of Electronic Commerce (EC) has fostered the growth of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in both developed and developing countries. This research examines potential barriers within the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework that affect the decision to adopt EC within SMEs in the context of emerging economies. A questionnaire-based survey was used to collect data from 296 managers of Ghanaian manufacturing SMEs. A robust version of feed-forward propagation artificial neural network based on the sigmoid basis function was developed to determine the influential role of designated barriers to EC adoption. We observed that all the nine factors significantly and negatively influence SMEs’ EC adoption decision behaviour, with lack of EC awareness being the dominant factor. Theoretical contribution and managerial implications of this research are discussed which is thought to offer valuable insights to managers, policy makers, and EC experts regarding the adoption of EC within SMEs of emerging economies.
Demographic predictors of exercise during a COVID-19 lockdown in three Ghanaian cities.
(ResearchSquare, 2021) Asiamah, N; Mends-Brew, E,; Danquah, E,; Opuni, F.F.
Background: This study assessed behavioral and demographic correlates of exercise during a COVID-19 lockdown in three cities. A cross-sectional design was employed. An online survey was used to collect data from residents of three Ghanaian cities, namely Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale. Methods: A total of 621 residents participated in the study. Most of the participants had tertiary educational qualifications and were aged 18 to 54 years. A binary logistic regression was used to present findings. Results: The results indicate that unemployed participants were about 13 times more likely to exercise than those who were employed. Individuals aged 25 to 30 years were about 0.7 times less likely to exercise compared with those aged 18 to 24 years. Participants with one or more chronic diseases were about 19 times more likely to exercise compared with those without a chronic condition. Residents who reported a reduction in moderate physical activity time of between 30 to 60 minutes were less likely to exercise compared with those who did not. Conclusion: The study concludes that the behavioral and demographic correlates of exercise during the lockdown are age, chronic disease status, employment, physical activity time lost, smoking, and domestic violence experience.
Social capital and SME performance: The moderating role of emotional intelligence
(Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, 2020) Boohene, R.; Appiah-Gyimah, R.; Osei, M. B.
Lack of extant studies on the moderating role of emotional intelligence on the relationship between social capital and firm performance necessitated this study. The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which emotional intelligence moderates the relationship between social capital and small and medium-scaled enterprises’ (SMEs’) performance. Design/methodology/approach A total of 1,532 SMEs were selected through simple random sampling technique from a population of 5,009 SMEs. Structural equation modelling using AMOS was used to analyse the relationship between the variables. Findings The results revealed that social capital has a positive and significant relationship with emotional intelligence. Moreover, the study also showed that emotional intelligence has a positive and significant relationship with SME performance. Finally, the study found that emotional intelligence enhances the relationship between social capital and SME performance. Practical implications SME owner/managers are advised to enact policies that encourage the establishment of meaningful social networks and also help employees understand their emotions while creating social capital as both would help improve the performance of their firms. Originality/value This paper breaks new ground by identifying emotional intelligence as an enabler of SMEs performance where there is adequate social capital.
Does innovation type influence firm performance? A dilemma of star-rated hotels in Ghana.
(Sustainability, 2020) Hu, X.; Danso, B. A.; Mensah, I. A.; Addai, M.
Innovation, which leads to process changes and product development, tends to increase the sustenance of companies and helps firms to expand faster and more effectively, eventually more profitably than non-innovators. Innovation is commonly seen as a key source of sustainable competitive advantage in a changing environment. However, the success of the hospitality industry relies a lot on how well they gear their innovations towards preserving the natural and cultural attractions that make tourist/customers to visit their destinations. This study, therefore, is empirically designed to explore how innovation types, which include process, product, marketing, and organizational innovation, impact performance of hotel firms in Ghana. With top-level managers being our target respondents, 680 star rated hotels were purposely sampled from the hospitality industry, among which 550 hotel firms provided valid and accurate responses. Data obtained from the survey through the administration of a well-structured questionnaire was analyzed through SPSS statistical package. Through the estimation of series of regression models using the Hierarchical regression method of analysis, we witnessed that process, product, marketing, and organizational innovation employed as innovation types have palpable and statistically significant liaison with performance of hotel firms in Ghana. We, therefore, conclude that, for hotels to achieve high firm performance, personnel within the firm should be encouraged and empowered to develop innovative mentalities and abilities. In addition, hotel firms and the industry at large should be abreast of current trends of sustainability and endeavor to gear their innovation operations towards a more sustainability-oriented firm since incorporating sustainable innovative strategies into firms’ operations will not only create a good image and reduce cost but would also safeguard the natural attractions that guests patronize.

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